Universal Power Group reports first quarter 2011 earnings

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Universal Power Group, Inc. (NYSE Amex: UPG), a Texas-based distributor and supplier of batteries and related power accessories and a third-party logistics provider, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

“Sales to customers other than ADT showed solid growth, and our gross margins continued to improve over the prior year, even as our operating expenses remained flat. In April, we completed our acquisition of Progressive Technologies, Inc. (PTI), which we believe will further support our long-term growth initiatives.”

For the first quarter, UPG reported net income of $402,677, or $0.08 per share, on net sales of $21.6 million, compared with net income of $505,709, or $0.10 per share, on net sales of $26.0 million in the first quarter of 2010.

“We made a number of significant accomplishments in the first quarter of 2011 to drive UPG’s future growth and profitability,” stated Ian Edmonds, UPG’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Sales to customers other than ADT showed solid growth, and our gross margins continued to improve over the prior year, even as our operating expenses remained flat. In April, we completed our acquisition of Progressive Technologies, Inc. (PTI), which we believe will further support our long-term growth initiatives.”

First Quarter Results

Net sales for the first quarter fell 17.1 percent, to $21.6 million, from $26.0 million in the first quarter of 2010. Net sales of batteries and related power accessories to customers excluding ADT Security Services (formerly Broadview Security) and its authorized dealers grew 12.4 percent, to $16.8 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $15.0 million for the first quarter of 2010. Net sales to ADT Security Services and its authorized dealers in the first quarter of 2011 were $4.7 million, a decrease of 57.1 percent from $11.0 million in the same quarter of 2010. This decline was due to the integration of Broadview Security, which was acquired by Tyco International in May 2010, and merged into ADT Security Services. The Company continues to work closely with ADT Security Services and its authorized dealers to maintain the level of quality and service they have come to expect from UPG, while supporting their current business. In addition, UPG remains focused on growing sales of batteries and related power accessories.

Gross profit was slightly lower, at $4.3 million in the quarter compared, with $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2010. An increase in sales of higher-margin product lines combined with ongoing efforts to reduce cost and increase efficiency resulted in gross margins of 20.0 percent for the first quarter of 2011, compared to 17.0 percent for the first quarter of 2010. Operating expenses remained relatively flat at $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2011, although as a percent of sales operating expenses increased due to the lower sales levels.

For the quarter, UPG reported a 19.5 percent decrease in operating income, to $0.8 million, and a 20.9 percent decrease in pre-tax income to $0.6 million. This compares to operating income of $1.0 million and pre-tax income of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2010. The decreased profitability was primarily the result of lower sales levels. On the bottom line, UPG reported net income of $0.4 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to net income of $0.5 million, or $0.10 per share in the prior year’s quarter.

Balance Sheet and Financial Position

At March 31, 2011 inventory decreased by $1.6 million, to $31.3 million, from $32.9 million at Dec. 31, 2010, due primarily to a sell down of inventory of certain products impacted by peak demand in early 2011. Accounts receivable decreased to $8.4 million, from $10.2 million at the end of 2010, while accounts payable increased by $1.1 million, to $8.7 million during the period. The decrease in accounts receivable was the result of the lower sales levels in the first quarter.

For the first three months of 2011, UPG generated net cash from operating activities of $4.9 million, compared to net cash from operating activities of $0.5 million during the same period in 2010. The increase in operating cash flow for 2011 reflects decreases in accounts receivable and inventory, as well as increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which were offset by a slight decrease in net income. Total working capital increased to $21.3 million at the end of the first quarter, from $20.9 million at the end of 2010, due primarily to repayments on the Company’s line of credit. UPG ended the quarter with $120,000 in cash and cash equivalents, down from $215,000 at the end of 2010. The outstanding balance on UPG’s line of credit decreased to $11.4 million, compared to $16.3 million at the end of 2010, reflecting the increased cash generated by operations over the period.

Acquisition

On April 20, 2011 UPG completed the acquisition of Progressive Technologies, Inc. (PTI), a North Carolina company that designs and assembles custom battery products for specialized OEMs in the medical, technology, government and military markets. The acquisition provides UPG with expanded capabilities in the assembly of lithium ion battery packs, enabling the Company to serve the fast-growing medical and technology markets. The total purchase price of $3.3 million included $1.9 million in cash, $1.0 million in notes payable to PTI, and the assumption of $0.4 million in notes payable to third parties. PTI’s expertise in lithium-ion battery packs among other chemistries, further enhances UPG’s product and service offerings. In addition, PTI’s products will strengthen the Company’s position in the medical field and other market segments.

Edmonds concluded: “Despite the lower revenues and net income for the quarter, we made progress towards our long-term goals of diversifying our revenue stream and reinforcing our foundation for future profitability. With the addition of PTI, we plan to take advantage of new opportunities to grow that business and expand our combined presence into new, fast-growing medical and technology markets. While we still face some headwinds from the soft economic recovery and weak consumer confidence, we see opportunities to grow our business organically - as we provide the products, quality and service our customers expect - and through acquisitions like PTI. Fortunately, we are in a strong financial position that can support these efforts on an ongoing basis.”

Conference Call Information

Universal Power Group will host an investor conference call today, Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. ET (10:30 a.m. CT) to discuss the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Interested parties may access the conference call by dialing 1.866.761.0748, passcode 30296285. The conference call will also be broadcast live at www.upgi.com and through the Thomson StreetEvents Network. Individual investors can listen to the call at www.earnings.com, Thomson’s individual investor portal. Institutional investors can access a webcast of the call via Thomson StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com), a password-protected event management site.

Source: Business Wire